A Drop in the Ocean

a large collection of islands or the sea surrounding them

The Philippines is an archipelago with over 7,000 islands.

an area of land that is covered with water or is always very wet

The swamp was teeming with diverse wildlife, from alligators to herons and turtles.

a lake, either natural or artificial, from which water is supplied to houses

The city's reservoir, nestled in the hills, stores water from nearby rivers and supplies it to thousands of homes.

a steep cliff or edge of a rock face, often with a significant drop

They stood on the edge of the precipice, looking down at the valley below.

a large body of land that is partially surrounded by water but is attached to a larger area of land

The Iberian Peninsula is home to Spain and Portugal, surrounded by water on three sides.

the highest point or summit of a mountain

Reaching the pinnacle of the mountain was a remarkable achievement.

a small, natural watercourse or stream; typically characterized by a gentle and continuous flow

They enjoyed a peaceful walk along the brook.

to place or fix something in a specific location

To secure the valuable artifact, the museum decided to deposit it in a high-security vault.

relating to or located at or near the geographic equator, the imaginary line dividing the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres

The equatorial climate is known for its high humidity and year-round warmth.

relating to a large mass of compressed ice like those near the poles or on mountains

They studied the glacial formations in the Arctic region.

an open and high land covered with grass, bushes and heather

The hikers explored the vast moorland, enjoying the open views.

an area of land, particularly in reference to its physical or natural features

The rugged terrain of the mountainous region posed a significant challenge for the hikers, requiring careful navigation and endurance.

a structure built along the water's edge; often with a platform for ships to load and unload goods

We walked along the wharf to admire the view of the harbor.

a low-lying piece of land between hills or mountains, often with a river flowing through it

The village is nestled in a quiet vale surrounded by hills.

(of land or a climate) very dry because of not having enough or any rain

The Sahara Desert is known for its arid climate, with vast expanses of sand and very little vegetation.

to flow down rapidly and in large quantities

Water cascaded down the waterfall, creating a mesmerizing sight.

a natural or man-made structure built along a river or waterway to prevent flooding by confining the water within its boundaries

The town repaired the levee after the recent storm.

a cloth covering placed or hung over something such as a bed or seat, used as a decoration or shelter

(botany) an individual plant or plant species

A botanical survey cataloged over 300 types of flora still remaining in the fragmented nature reserve which once contained much greater diversity.

a plant or tree's branches and leaves collectively

The dense foliage provided a cool shade on a hot day.

a plant-like organism that often grows on organic matter and has no flowers or leaves, such as moulds and mushrooms

They discovered a new species of fungus in the rainforest that glows in the dark.

lasting for a long time or continuing indefinitely

His perennial optimism helped him weather life's challenges.

to deposit pollen on a plant or flower so that it can produce new seeds or fruit

Bees pollinate flowers as they collect nectar, aiding in the reproduction of plants.

a small and young tree

The forest was filled with many new saplings.

to release a bullet or arrow from a gun or bow

The police officer had to shoot to defend against the armed suspect.

(of a seed or plant) to begin growing

She plants seeds in the garden and watches them sprout after a few days.

(of an object) able to be broken down by living organisms such as bacteria, which is then safe for the environment

Biodegradable food waste can be composted and turned into nutrient-rich soil.

to make a place, substance, etc. dirty or harmful by adding dangerous material

The factory's discharge pipes contaminated the river with toxic chemicals.

related to the connection between animals, plants, and humans and their environment

Ecological conservation efforts aim to protect biodiversity and preserve natural habitats.

liquid waste or sewage discharged into rivers, lakes, or the sea

The factory was fined for discharging untreated effluent directly into the river, harming aquatic life and polluting the water.

(of a vehicle) not producing gases harmful to the environment

Electric vehicles are considered zero-emission because they do not produce tailpipe emissions.

in relation to activities that minimize disruption to ecosystems; emphasizing sustainability and reduced ecological footprint

She prefers low-impact exercises like yoga to avoid joint stress.

a small amount of rain, snow, etc. that moves in a quick and stormy way and lasts only for a short period of time

A sudden flurry of snow covered the ground in minutes.

a very powerful wind

The fishing boats stayed in port as a strong gale blew across the coast, making the sea too dangerous.

the line where the sky and earth seem to come in contact with each other

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the sky.

a period in the summer during which wind blows and rain falls in India or other hot South Asian countries

Farmers eagerly anticipate the monsoon season as it brings much-needed rainfall to replenish parched fields and ensure a successful harvest.

to become softer or liquid

After weeks of cold weather, the ground began to thaw, revealing patches of green grass beneath the snow.

having the capacity to be used to grow crops

The farm has large arable fields perfect for wheat.

the practice of preparing and using land for growing crops, especially on a large scale

The farmer practiced cultivation of wheat on his vast fields.